[Durham INC] New Documentary Highlights Durham's Community-Centered Crisis Response Program

[City of Durham Communications]

[Title: City of Durham Communications Department]

News Media Contact
Beverly B. Thompson, Director
919.475.2362 (mobile)

CommsMedia at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:CommsMedia at DurhamNC.gov>



Media Advisory
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2023



New Documentary Premiering This Week at The Carolina Theater Highlights Community-Centered Crisis Response Program in Durham

Press Briefing, Film Premier and Panel Discussion on Wednesday, April 19 in Fletcher Hall



DURHAM, N.C. - The new documentary, "HEART: Serving Our Neighbors in Crisis," details the development and implementation of the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART) program, a new public safety response within the City of Durham Community Safety Department that connects Durham neighbors to the right care - starting from the point at which someone calls 911 to the warm handoff to those who help meet the needs of neighbors in crisis. The screening is free and open to the public; pre-registration is required via Eventbrite<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/documentary-world-premiere-heart-serving-our-neighbors-in-crisis-tickets-597857446717>.



Who: The project is a collaboration between the City of Durham<https://www.durhamnc.gov/4576/Community-Safety> and nonprofit research institute, RTI International<https://www.rti.org/announcements/new-documentary-highlights-community-centered-crisis-response-program-durham-nc> and was funded by Arnold Ventures.



What: Press briefing, film premier, and panel discussion



Where: The Carolina Theater, Fletcher Hall, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham, N.C. 27701


When: Wednesday, April 19

5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Media-only briefing

6 p.m.: Doors open

7 p.m. - 7:35 p.m.: Film screening

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Panel discussion



Why: After an RTI International study revealed that many of Durham's 911 calls were for nonviolent incidents, the City of Durham decided to pilot a program to further support community needs. As the City's newest public safety department, it is the first to be staffed with mental health clinicians, peer support specialists, and EMTs working together to support neighbors in crisis. Watch the film preview here<https://youtu.be/N-Ak0-ED9gQ>.



About the City of Durham Community Safety Department

The Community Safety Department<https://www.durhamnc.gov/4576/Community-Safety> works to enhance public safety through community-centered approaches to prevention and intervention as alternatives to policing and the criminal legal system. In its second year, the department has three primary functions: piloting new response models for 911 calls for service, collaborating with community members to identify additional approaches to public safety, and managing and evaluating existing contracts and external partnerships intended to advance public safety. The response teams operate under the name of "HEART" (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams). For more information about how the HEART team serves the community, visit the department's webpage<https://www.durhamnc.gov/4576/Community-Safety> for data that show how the programs are touching the lives of Durham "neighbors" in crisis every day.



About Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures<http://www.arnoldventures.org/> is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. Driven by a mission to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice, it invests in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. Arnold Ventures is headquartered in Houston, with offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City.



About RTI International

RTI International<http://www.rti.org/> is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on RTI International to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach - one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. RTI International believes in the promise of science and is inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world.



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